Upland, CA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential night limit
- 45 dB(A), 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Residential day limit
- 55 dB(A), 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Unspecified-use limit
- 65 dB(A) anytime
- Industrial/commercial limit
- 75 dB(A) anytime
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, up to 6 months jail
- Governing section
- UMC § 9.40.040
Summary
Upland Municipal Code § 9.40.040 sets base ambient noise levels by zone and time: 45 dB(A) at night and 55 dB(A) by day in residential zones, 65 dB(A) anytime for unspecified uses, and 75 dB(A) anytime in industrial and commercial zones. Exceeding these levels is enforced under Chapter 9.40.
All ambient noise measurements shall commence at the base ambient noise levels in decibels within the respective times and zones as follows: Decibels / Time / Zone Use — 45 dB(A) / 10:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. / Residential — 55 dB(A) / 7:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. / Residential — 65 dB(A) / Anytime / Uses not specified — 75 dB(A) / Anytime / Industrial and commercial. Actual decibel measurements exceeding the above levels at the times and within the zones corresponding thereto shall be employed as the base ambient noise level referred to in this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
040. m. Any use not specifically zoned is capped at 65 dB(A) at any time, and industrial and commercial zones are capped at 75 dB(A) at any time. The code treats these as floors: if an actual measurement exceeds the table figure, that higher reading becomes the base ambient level for measuring a violation, and no ambient level is ever deemed lower than the table figures. 070 then layers duration limits on top of the base ambient noise level (BANL) for residential property: noise at the BANL itself is allowed up to 30 minutes in any hour, 5 dB(A) above BANL is allowed up to 15 minutes, 10 dB(A) above BANL up to 5 minutes, 15 dB(A) above BANL up to 1 minute, and 20 dB(A) above BANL is not permitted at all.
030 lists the factors an officer weighs alongside the decibel numbers, including proximity to sleeping areas, zoning of the area, number of people affected, and whether the noise is continuous or intermittent, and states outright that a noise need not exceed the numeric limit to be an actionable nuisance. 030(A).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the Section 9.40.070 duration/decibel thresholds, or otherwise causing loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise under Section 9.40.060, is a misdemeanor under Section 9.40.110, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in city or county jail, or both. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the city may also seek an injunction under Section 9.40.130.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nighttime noise limit in an Upland residential zone?
How long can noise exceed the base ambient level before it is a violation?
Do industrial and commercial zones in Upland have a higher noise ceiling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle decibel limits.